The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-05-28
THE MISER'S HAND.
sst;ssssars Chronicle. :;

[ Is one tIiat they tell, ana IL Is taFor- ite with them:
 "One evening in the year 1920 a female, completely enveloped in a long black mantle, was walking toward the Bridge of Rialto, in Nen- ice. Her steps were weak and une- ven, and at intervals she looked around with hurried, frightf0l glance.
 She paused at the center of the bridge and looked down with shud- der on the clear, blue waters ot the Adriatic. Then closing her eyes and murmuring faintly. Antonio, my Antonio, adieu." she prepared to throw herself over the paapet.
 Just as she was falling a man rushed forward. seized her with a powerful grasp, and drawing her back, said:
 "Girl, destroy mol the life which has been given you, If you arc un- happy, enter your church. kneel on it's hallowed pavement, pour out your sorrow and thank your Maker that you have been prevented from rush. i ing uncalled into His presence"
 By degrees she told him who she was and where she lived. Her history might be summed up in few words an avaricious father. poor lover, a mutual but unhappy love. Vainly had Maria pleaded with her father, rich inn keeper in Venice, the cause of her lover. Antonio Barborigo, the handsomest gondolier plying beneath the Bridge of Sighs.
 At length. this evening, her father, Giannettini, so far forgot himself as to strike his daughter, with some vio- lencc. and she, with far more culpablc neglect of her duty, fled from her home, and, as we have seen. was ar rested on the verge of suicide.
 The person who had saved her led her gently to her home and, having given her up to her father, seated him. self ill an obscure corner of the host elry.
 Giamettimi received his child with rude reproaches; and. bidding her re- tire to her own apartments. he east a suspicious glance at the person who had brought her home. whose stout manly figure and firm countenance. however. deterred the inn keeper from addressing him in hostile manner.
 As Maria turned to depart q young gondolier appeared at the door and 1 t'urtively approaching her, said
 " Dearest! Dearest"
 Giannettini rushed forward, shout ing;
 "Out of this! Out of my house, beggar,"
 Certainly. you are rich" replied the young man: but what flinders that should not become so. too? \ stout arm, d brave heart, an honest soul will, with the help of heaven, do much"
 A lovers dream"
 The man in the corner had listened attcntively 10 this dialogue. He arose. and touching Barbarigo's shoul- der. said:
 Well spoken. gondolicr. Courage brings success, and struggling, con quest Maria shall be thy wife"
 Never" said Giannettini.
 We'll" said the unknown. turning disdainfully towards him. "if this | NOulu NOINl idN NioN VI b'P DIrlbItH would you object to the marriagc?"
 So saving he drew from his pocket q piece of parchment and crayon, and turning to a table began rapidly to sketch mans hand, Ii was rep resented open, impatient, with hol- lowed palm. as if expecting a shower of gold pieces. It had, SO to speak, an avaricious expression, and one of the fingers was circled with a massive ring.
 Iris my hand '" cried Giannettini
 And your history said the artist ] Giving the sketch to Antonio. the author desired him to carry it to Pie ] tro Benvolo. librarian in the Palace of St. Mark. and demand in exchange for il GOO pistoles.
 Six hundred fools heads. :" cried the inn keeper. II would not give a zcchin for it.
 An hour passed. then hasty, joyous steps were heard. Antonio appeared, bearing in his hand bag and 4 letter The bag contained GOO pistoles. and the letter was addressed to the artist and prayed him to honor the librarian with visit.
 Take these coins and weigh them," said the unknown. as he threw the bag toward Giannettini. Antonio Barbarigo stood before his bcnefactor, pale and trembling with joy.
 ] "One favor more" he said; "who are you?"
  i Men cal; nhe Hi, i.s,e' Ange:o." ! As to the crayon -ketch of the mi ser's hand, ii was taken from Italy by a soldier in Napoleon's army and l placed in the Louvre. During the | invasion of 1874 it was unfortunately ] lnst and so far as can be aacerfai ned